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1. Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on 1 “High Level Working Group Report”

2. Procedure for Demarcating ESA Villages 20

3. Annexure I – Maps of Cadastral Scale ESA Villages 23

4. Annexure III – Cadastral Survey Mapping procedure 156

Contents - Survey details

Sl. No Name of Village Page No.

I District 1 Peringamala 218 2 Thennur 219 3 Vidura 220 4 Mannurkkara 221 5 Vazhichal 228 6 Amboori 230 7 Kallikkad 231 II District 8 233 9 Piravanthur 234 10 235 11 236 12 237 13 Thingal karikkam 240 14 241 15 Chennapettah 243 III District 16 Thannithodu 245 17 Aruvappalam 246 18 Chittar-Seethathodu 247 19 Kollumala 249 20 Perunad 250 21 Vadasserikkara 251 IV District 22 253 V 23 Marayoor 256 24 264 25 Kannandevan Hills 273 26 277 27 281 28 290 29 302 30 303 31 310 32 Anaviratti 312 33 Kunjithanni 314 34 Vellathooval 316 35 320 36 321 37 Manjamala 323 38 324 39 325 40 Peerumed 332 41 Mlapra 337 42 338 43 339 44 355 45 Idukki 361 46 Arakulam 363 47 Chinnakkanal 366 48 370 49 Rajakumari 376 50 Pooppara 385 51 Rajakadu 390 52 396 53 397 54 Kandhippara 405 55 Chathurangappara 408 56 Vathikkudy 417 57 422 58 Upputhodu 429 59 Parathod 432 60 Kalkunthal 436 61 439 62 Ayyappankovil 443 63 Pambadumpara 446 64 447 65 448 66 450 67 451 68 452 69 456 VI District 70 Pariyaram 458 VII District 71 Kizhakkanchery 1 462 72 Muthalamada 1 468 73 Muthalamada II 482 74 Nelliyampathy 490 75 Puthur 493 76 505 77 516 78 537 79 Sholayar 553 80 573 81 577 82 585 83 Puduppariyaram 611 84 Pudusseri east 628 VIII District 85 Chungathara 636 86 Kurumbalangod 639 87 Vazhikadavu 640 88 Akampadam 641 89 Karulai 642 90 Amarambalam 647 91 Chokkod 655 92 661 93 Estate 663 94 674 IX Kozhikod District 95 Kedavoor 687 96 Puthuppadi 688 97 Nellippoyil 690 98 Kodancheri 700 99 Thiruvanbadi 706 100 Chembanoda 712 101 Chakkittappara 713 102 Thinur 715 103 Kavilumpara 716 X 104 Thirunelli 718 105 Thrissilleri 723 106 Periya 724 107 Thondarnad 728 108 Kidangad 730 109 Nulpuzha 733 110 Theriyod 734 111 Achooranam 743 112 Pozhuthana 744 113 745 114 Chundel 748 115 Kunnathidavaka 750 116 Vellarimala 753 XI District 117 Aralam 758 118 Kottiyur 759 119 Cheruvancherry 763

Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee

on “High Level Working Group Report”

1. INTRODUCTION

Western Ghats is the second important mountainous area in after the Himalayas. It affects the climate, atmospheric temperature and soil fertility of the country. Being the treasure trove of Biodiversity, the are essential for the existence of the country.

Biodiversity is the basis of all life on earth. As man is an important component in the chain of biodiversity he also has the responsibility to conserve it. When each component of this chain gets lost, the existence of human being also is danger. Biodiversity is a complex subject with multiple dimensions, and hence the issues connected with Western Ghats conservation should be approached with this concept in mind.

Western Ghats is one of the eight hottest biodiversity hotspots of the world. 27% of all species present in India are found in the Western Ghats. Many wild relatives of crops such as Pepper, Cardamom, Mango, Jack Fruit and Banana also occur in the Western Ghats. Many rivers and water bodies which are the source of drinking and irrigation for above 250 million people, also originate from the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats also substantially influence the . The destruction and pollution of the Western Ghats can never be permitted. At the same time, the livelihood and the habitat of people who live in the Western Ghats areas, engaged in activities such as farming for generations should also be protected. It is with this outlook in mind that the three member expert committee has gathered public opinion regarding Kathuri Rangan Report and formulated the recommendations accordingly.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [1] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

2. GADGIL COMMITTEE REPORT AND KASTHURI RANGAN COMMITTEE REPORT

Various research reports revealed that the Western Ghats, which is the abode of a variety of eco systems and organisms is facing biodiversity loss due to the interferences by human beings. Subsequently, Government of India appointed a committee (WGEEP) headed by Prof. Madhav Gadgil. The mandate of the committee was to demarcate ecologically sensitive areas of Western Ghats, declare them and to formulate recommendation for conservation of Western Ghats with people‟s participation. Gadgil Committee started functioning in March 2010 and submitted their report to MoEF in August 2011. The committee divided Western Ghats area as Ecologically Sensitive Zones I, II and III and imposed various degrees of restrictions accordingly.

But complaints and grievances were raised by various state governments as well as public and Government of India decided to revaluate the report. In order to revaluate the report and to prepare an action plan for implementation of the recommendations, Government of India appointed a High Level Working Group headed by Dr.K.Kasthuri Rangan vide a Government Order dated 17.08.2012. The mandate of the committee was to suggest measures for preventing loss of the fragile eco system of the Western Ghats. Government directed the Committee to take a consensus approach to protect the interests of people who has been living the Western Ghats area traditionally, while suggesting ways for conservation of ecology and biodiversity of Western Ghats. By this, Government put forward the view that development and people‟s progress will be taken into consideration with the participation of people.

Kasthuri Rangan Committee submitted their report on 15, April 2013. In the report, they suggested to demarcate about 40 percent of Western Ghats area as ESA (Ecologically Sensitive Area) and conserve it. Committee found 123 villages in Kerala as ESA. Kasthuri Rangan Committee also pointed out certain defects in demarcation of ESA put forward by ( Gadgil Committee Report. using criteria with incomplete back-up information, identifying ESZs without taking into account human cultural component which is part of biodiversity, livelihood and development needs of human population and the large grid size used for zonation – Page 46 of the report).

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [2] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

The decision of Kasthrui Rangan Committee was to solve the issues connected with demarcation of ESA by adopting a scientific as well as logical approach. For this they utilised remote sensing technology. For extracting information regarding biodiversity and fragmentation the committee depended on the data of Department of Space, Govt. of India and Dept. of Biotechnology. This comprehensive data was utilised for finding out the Ecologically Sensitive Area.

The Committee divided Western Ghats into “Cultural Landscape” and “Natural Landscape”. Natural Landscape included forests, protected areas and areas which are to be protected as forests, while Cultural Landscape included human inhabited areas, agricultural lands and plantations. The Committee considered the following factors also for demarcating areas as Natural Landscape; richness of biodiversity, fragmentation of forest areas, less human density, presence of protected forests, world heritage sites and elephant and tiger corridors. Each of these factors was given a particular value and Ecologically Sensitive Areas demarcated accordingly.

Kasthuri Rangan Committee also adopted the policy that if at least 20 percent area of the village is found to be Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), the whole village will be considered as ESA. The Report says that “This approach is much more conservative and indeed meaningful than treating an entire Taluk as ESA” (Page – 57). It is based on these factors that the committee recommended to declare 123 villages in Kerala as ESA. The area of villages and ESAs demarcated by the committee in various states may be seen.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [3] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

In other States area of ESA is less than the Natural Landscape, while in Kerala the area of ESA is higher than that of the Natural Landscape that means a part of the Cultural Landscape including human inhabited areas and agricultural land is in ESA. Naturally, this resulted in lot of complaints from the public. The Kasthuri Rangan Committee has earlier raised many complaints against Gadgil Committee Report. But now the public began to raise the same complaints against Kasthuri Rangan Committee itself.

When the Kasthuri Rangan Report was published, many complaints were raised against it by the public, especially farmers. They were of the apprehension that if the areas are declared as ESA, they will be forced to live under strict regulations and development activities will be stand still. Subsequently agitations began in these areas. Under the above circumstances Hon. Chief Minister convened an all party meeting, in which it was decided to resolve the complaints and grievances of people living in these areas.

3. CONSTITUTION OF EXPERT COMMITTEE

The mandate of the committee was to study the draft Office Memorandum of MoEF in detail, seek the opinions of people‟s representatives, NGOs, farmer‟s organisations, and general public and to submit their opinions and suggestions to the State Government, which will be further conveyed to the Central Government.

The Hon. Chief Minister also instructed to prepare a version of Kasthuri Rangan Committee Report in a book form and to post it in the website of Kerala State Biodiversity Board for the public.

4. SITTING OF THE EXPERT COMMITTEE

The first meeting of the Expert Committee (Dr.Oommen V. Oommen, Dr.V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai and Shri.P.C.Cyriac) was held on 08.11.2013, 11 a.m. at Government Guest House, Thycaud. In this meeting it was decided to visit the Western Ghats areas and seek the opinion of people‟s representatives, farmers, NGOs, farmer‟s organisations, and general public. For this it was decided to convene sittings in Pathanamthitta, , Thrissur, Malappuram, Idukki, Wayanad, , Kannur, Palakkad, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. It was

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [4] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

also decided to give wide publicity regarding the sittings through media and the concerned District Collectors.

Meanwhile, on 13.11.2013 and 16.11.2013 MoEF issued two Office Memoranda approving the recommendations of Kasthuri Rangan Committee in principle. Question was raised whether the Expert Committee has any relevance under the above circumstances. Subsequently, C.M. of Kerala approached Central Government and adjournment was given for submitting the recommendation of State Government.

As per the direction of Expert Committee, the officials of Kerala State Biodiversity Board translated parts of the report relevant to Kerala and posted it on the website; keralabiodiversity.org. About one lakh persons visited the site. Other than this, 10,000 copies of the Malayalam book prepared on Kasthuri Rangan Committee Report by the Board was distributed free of cost. A 24 hour helpline with 4 telephone numbers also functioned through which about 4,000 persons contacted the Board for clarifications on the report. This helpline was operated by the employees of KSBB. KSBB also gave wide publicity regarding the report through print media, so as to eliminate the apprehensions of people in this regard. Arrangements for publicity regarding sittings of the Committee, convening of the sittings, compilation of opinions raised during the sittings and assistance for preparation of the final report were all done by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board.

Expert Committee also decided to conduct discussions with Members of Parliament, MLAs and NGOs (on Kasthuri Rangan Committee Report). Committee had many discussions with the Chief Minister Shri.Oommen Chandy. The Chief Minister suggested that recommendations should be formulated in such a way so that the life of common people living in the Western Ghats will not be affected.

5. MEETING OF MLAs AND MPs

The Meeting held on 13.11.2013 was chaired by Dr.Oommen V Oommen, Convenor of the Expert Committee. Member of the Expert Committee Dr.P.C.Cyriac also participated. 26 persons including MPs, Chief Whip and MLAs participated and expressed their opinions. Union Ministers intimated their opinions in writing.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [5] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

The important suggestions put forward by the people‟s representatives are:

 Thickly populated areas and agricultural lands which are demarcated as ESAs should be exempted.  Restrictions should not be imposed on housing and other construction activities of common people.  Banning activities initiated by Forest Department related to suggestions in the report should be stopped.  Taking villages as the unit for demarcation of ESA should not be accepted.  Forest boundaries should be the criteria for demarcation of ESA.  Those lands which have been assured title deed by the Government should not be included in the ESA.  Areas in possession of Forest Department should be notified.  The construction activities which are going on now in Western Ghats areas should not be stopped.  The villages having population of more than hundred per Km. Sq. area (100/km2) should be exempted from ESA.  There should be clarification regarding eco friendly housing scheme proposed in the Kasthuri Rangan Report.  No one should be evacuated from the Western Ghats areas.  The possibility of putting rock and sand mining in public sector should be explored.  The conditions in the report that restrict local development activities should be cancelled.  The recommendation to seek NOC of Gram sabha for all development activities in Western Ghats should be cancelled.  Western Ghats should be conserved with all possible efforts.  The recommendation to prevent red category industries such as thermal power plants in Western Ghats will not affect farmers.  100 metre buffer zone should be formed bordering the forest areas for protection of forest environment.  Organic farming should be promoted.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [6] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

6. DETAILS OF EXPERT COMMITTEE SITTINGS

No. Date Place 1. 26.11.2013 Aralam Panchayat Office, Kannur 2. 26.11.2013 Kottiyoor Panchayt, Kannur 3. 26.11.2013 Cheruvanchery, Patyam Panchayat 4. 26.11.2013 Mananthavady Panchayat, Community Hall, Wayanad 5. 27.11.2013 Collectorate, Wayanad 6. 27.11.2013 Kodenchery Panchayat Officer, Marian Auditorium, Kozhikode 7. 27.11.2013 Anurag Auditorium, Kozhikode 8. 28.11.2013 Kavilambara Panchayat, Kozhikode 9. 28.11.2013 Koorachund Panchayat, Kozhikode 10. 28.11.2013 Municipality, Malappuram 11. 28.11.2013 Kalikavu Community Hall, Malappuram 12. 28.11.2013 Karuvarakkundu Panchayat Officer, Malappuram 13. 29.11.2013 Mannanarkkad Block Panchayath, Palakkad 14. 29.11.2013 Nenmara Panchayat Office, PWD Rest House, Palakkad 15. 03.12.2013 Panchayat Town Hall, Idukki 16. 03.12.2013 Taluk Office, Idukki 17. 03.12.2013 Taluk Office, Idukki 18. 03.12.2013 Vanasree Auditorium, , Idukki 19. 04.12.2013 Kattappana Town Hall, Idukki 20. 04.12.2013 Cheruthoni, Idukki 21. 04.12.2013 Municipal Hall, Idukki 22. 07.12.2013 Koottikkal Panchayath, Kottayam 23. 07.12.2013 Earattupettah Block Panchayat, Kottayam 24. 07.12.2013 Pathanamthitta Collectorate 25. 09.12.2012 Amboori, Maliparambil Memorial Hall, Thiruvananthapuram 26. 09.12.2013 Thenmala Panchayat office, Kollam 27. 12.12.2013 Chalakkudi, Pariyaram Community Hall, Thrissur 28. 13.12.2013 Science and Technology Museum Hall (for Environmental activists) 29. 18.12.2013 Sasthra Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram (for Environmental activists) 30. 18.12.2013 Meeting with Additional Chief Secretary & Agricultural Production Commissioner

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [7] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

Huge public participation and response was observed during different sittings conducted by the Expert Committee. About 30,000 persons participated and expressed their concerns and opinions. 8976 complaints were received in writing. A district wise comparison of the complaints received is given below

7. IMPORTANT OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY THE PUBLIC

7.1. Opinions against the Kasthuri Rangan Committee Report

 The agricultural land and human inhabited areas included in ESA should be excluded.  There should be no restrictions on short duration crops, which are being cultivated by the farmers after adopting necessary soil conservation measures.  There should be no restrictions on farming and day to day life in these areas.  Necessary schemes to increase the income from farming should be implemented in these areas.  Those areas which are demarcated as forest should only be included in ESA.  The areas which are having population density of more than 100 per square km should be exempted from ESA without considering any other factors.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [8] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

 The application of remote sensing technology for demarcating ESA is not accurate. Hence field survey should be undertaken for demarcation of ESA boundaries.  At present permission of the Environment Department is required for digging of wells and ponds, this condition should be cancelled.  There should be no restriction on soil conservation measures adopted by the farmers using traditional techniques.  There should be no restriction for small and marginal farmers for excavation of sand and rock from their own land for construction of houses.  There should be no restriction on rearing of farm animals.  There should be no restriction on traditional fishing.  Felling of trees from their own farm land should be considered as farmer‟s rights.  No restriction should be imposed on construction of rain water harvest measures and river bunds.  No restriction should be imposed on construction of public utility structures like hospitals, roads and bridges.  No restriction should be imposed on transaction of land and availing of loans.  No measures should be taken for evacuation of people from Western Ghats areas or impose stringent conditions on their day to day life so that people will be forced to evacuate themselves from these areas.  The report should not adversely affect the decision to give title deed to those lands which are in possession before 1977 January 1.  The EFL Rule 2003 should be cancelled.  Assurance should be given that ESA will not be converted as EFL in future.  2011 census should be relied for assessing the population density.  No restriction should be imposed to the effect that farmers should live and do farming according to the forest Rules and Acts.  The nature and environmental protection measures done by the farmers should also be taken in to account while preparing Expert Committee Report.  Many Rules and Acts are there for conservation of forests, they should be implemented effectively, rather than formulating new ones.  The recommendation to prevent cultivation of annual crops on lands having more than 30 degree elevation is formulated without knowing that the farmers do Contour bunding in these lands.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [9] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

 The recommendation to ban single crops like Eucalyptus in these areas, may affect cash crops like rubber, coffee, tea and cardamom.  The recommendation to have a buffer zone of 10 km around ESA should not be accepted.  There should be clear demarcation between forest and farm land. Solar/ electric fencing should be erected around forest boundaries and put under the supervision of security force (Environmental policing). Migration of animals from forest land to human inhabited areas should be prevented and people saved from animal attack.  Environmental conservation programmes should be discussed in Gram Sabhas and implemented under the leadership of Panchayats and Biodiversity Management Committees, Forest Department should never be entrusted with this work.  Minimum Rs.3,000 should be given as pension for farmers who have completed 60 years.

7.2. Suggestions and Recommendations in support of the Kasthuri Rangan Committee Report

 Unscientific and over mining of rock will result in landslides, and hence should be banned.  Planting of trees like Eucalyptus should be restricted to sustain the natural ecosystem.  Sand mining may be regulated in Western Ghats region.  Environmental conservation programmes should be implemented with people‟s participation.  Water shed based conservation activities must be undertaken.  Panchayats should render the assistance of technical support group of Kerala State Biodiversity Board for the development of Master Plans.  Reassessment is needed for certain areas which has not been included in the ESA category even though they fulfill the criteria.  Illegal mining must be banned even in areas which are not included in ESA category.  Construction of new roads, dams, buildings and other human interventions are to be prohibited in forest areas falling under ESA.  Action must be taken against persons spreading unnecessary and wrong propaganda about the Kasthuri Rangan report.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [10] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

 Gradual reduction of pesticide use should be done at ecologically sensitive areas and poly house vegetable farming should be promoted in all panchayats.  Restrictions regarding giving permission for buildings in ESA having an area of 20,000 m2 and townships having an area of 50 acres should be re-examined.  Usage of machines like JCBs should be regulated not only in ecologically sensitive, but also in other areas, as they exert severe impact on the landscape.  Functioning of mineral water bottling units should be regulated in Western Ghats region.  Number of vehicles should be regulated.  Kasturirangan committee has identified 63% of the Western Ghats area as Cultural Landscape. But the report doesn‟t contain any information or suggestion regarding ecological exploitation in that area. This is a drawback.  Construction of dams, industrialization and mining may lead to the deterioration of water level in the Western Ghats region. Necessary steps have to be taken to prevent water shortage which Kerala may experience in future.

8. MEETING OF THE VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS AND RECOMMEN- DATIONS SUGGESTED BY THEM

Sittings were held to invite suggestions from Voluntary Organizations on 13-12-2013 at Priyadarshini Planatorium and on 18-12-2013 at Sasthra Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram. Members from 13 organizations attended. Recommendations were submitted directly and by post. Famous environmentalists like Smt. Sugathakumari, Dr. R.V.G Menon, Dr. V.S Vijayan, Prof M.K. Prasad and representative of Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishat submitted their suggestions. The suggestions are:

 Prohibit the use of genetically modified crops in Western Ghats region.  Use of plastics should be banned within three years in Western Ghats region.  Construction and development of road networks in these areas should be done subjected to ecological impact assessment studies.  Construction of buildings should be done in an eco-friendly manner.  Eco-friendly power generation such as solar power must be promoted.  Incentives should be given for the maintenance of natural vegetation on private lands.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [11] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

 Subsidy should be given to farmers who turn from chemical to organic farming.  Subsidy should be given for the installation of biogas plants to farmers having at least two cows.  Incentives should be given to farmers adopting eco-friendly farming methods.  There should be complete ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining in ESA.  Economic benefits should be provided to farmers for the construction of bunds in water bodies.  Protection measures should be adopted for protection of the river banks destroyed due to mining.  Kasturirangan committee has excluded majority of the ecologically sensitive areas of Western Ghats regions by including them in cultural landscape. These areas are affected by large scale mining activities. Kasturirangan committee has not examined present status of the areas and gave green signal for such activities.  Utilizing satellite survey for demarcation of ESA is a wrong concept. Kasturirangan committee has not considered other important aspects such as slope of the area and topography of the region for identification of ESA.  Decision for giving approval for the construction of buildings of 20000 m2 area should be re-considered.  The committee failed to assess the actual status of ecologically sensitive areas as the report was prepared without any consultation with the Grama Sabhas of the area.  The Kasthuri Rangan report may not be approved owing to the anti ecological and anti social perspectives in the report. Gadgil report, which was prepared in consultation with Grama sabhas may be implemented.  Discrimination should not be created between people, by restricting development and imposing environmental conservation measures.  The proposed Western Ghats Authority should be strengthened.  Gadgil committee has given special emphasis on the concept of ecological conservation through people‟s participation, which is appreciable.  The major reason for the water scarcity in Kerala is the lack of conservation of water resources of Western Ghats region.  Tuber crops are one of the important food sources for Kerala people. To assure food security, tuber crops like tapioca are being cultivated in slopes. Hence cultivation of tuber crops in such areas shall not be prohibited.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [12] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

 Apprehension occurred in connection with EFL since land of small farmers was acquired under the provisions of EFL Rule without giving any compensation. There is no further relevance for this rule and hence it may be cancelled.

9. GENERAL VIEW OF EXPERT COMMITTEE

Eco-friendly sustainable development is getting increased attention globally. Developmental activities should focus on the improvement in lifestyle of people and should also regulate over exploitation of natural resources. We must realize the consequences of over exploitation of natural resources and at the same time there should not be any difficulty to those people who rely on farming and other activities for their livelihood in these areas.

Some parts of the Western Ghats region were converted to cultivated lands by virtue of the traditional farming practice adopted by the predecessors of today‟s farmers. They struggled against epidemics like malaria for survival and many of them even died. The present generation has an emotional attachment with the land by virtue of this reason. Also, there may occur a social imbalance between people residing in ESA and other areas upon the implementation of high level working committee report and may lead to even violation of constitutional rights.

People especially farmers play an important role in the conservation of biodiversity. Majority of Western Ghats regions are suitable for spice cultivation and plantation crops especially Tea, Cardamom, Coffee, Rubber etc. These plantations also play a key role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and cleaning of atmosphere. Around 6 to 10 tonnes of carbon can be stored by one hectare of coffee plantation. Homestead farming is traditional farming method in Kerala, which is not common in other states. Homestead farming, a key factor in agro-biodiversity conservation, includes different varieties of crops, cattle breeds, poultry, aquaculture, apiculture, medicinal plant cultivation etc. by which natural organic cycling happens.

Kerala is the most populated among the states through which Western Ghats traverses. The population density of Kerala was 749 in 1991 and has increased to 819 in 2001 and 859 in 2011. As per the Census Data of India, per capita land is 32.5 cents and agricultural land

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [13] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

holding is 25 cents. In a state like Kerala, where per capita land is negligible, increase in agricultural production is a major mandate, government itself promoted the farmers to cultivate in high range areas. During the Second World War, “Grow more Food‟ campaign was implemented to eradicate poverty. Government also prompted people to cultivate crops in hilly areas. During 1950s government allotted 5 acres of land for each family to promote their migration to high range areas. As high range areas are suitable for spices cultivation more foreign currency flowed in to the state. Farmers had to overcome several problems to convert these high range areas to flourished agronomic zones. The expert committee‟s view point is that hurdles that may arise for the inhabitants of Western Ghats areas due to the implementation of Kasthuri Rangan report, must be avoided.

Kerala is a state having strict regulations on forest conservation and strict implementation of forest related regulatory mechanisms. As per the MoEF statistics, India‟s forest coverage is 21.5% and that of Kerala is 29.1%. Kerala has 6 national parks, 17 protected areas and 1 community reserve. Of the total green cover of 11309.5032 km2, 3213.24 km2 falls under the protected forest area (Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department). Rate of forest fragmentation in Kerala is less when compared with other states. Even though forest department strictly enforces forest conservation activities, there must be a consensus approach between ecological conservation and livelihood of people.

Hundreds of people have attended the hearings conducted by the expert committee and expressed their fear and apprehensions regarding the Kasthuri Rangan report. The committee has examined all these complaints and formulated the recommendations accordingly. The main apprehension was that the whole village (including farm lands and human inhabited areas) demarcated as ESA. If such condition arises there will be restrictions for doing various livelihood activities. The value of the land may get reduced drastically and nobody could tolerate it. Living under stringent conditions will also be a bad experience. In Western Ghats areas, when the lands were identified as ESA, the sale of land came to a standstill. Many economical problems arose due to this and even marriages were cancelled. Shri. Pranab Sen, Former Chairman, Planning Commission has given recommendations regarding the measures to be taken before declaring an area as ESA, which is relevant in this context.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [14] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

Pranab Sen, etc., Committee:- The committee knew that the eco-sensitive areas identified by it “would receive protection under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA)”. This awareness had two major implications. First, a balance had to be struck between the protection of ecologically sensitive areas and the needs of national development, particularly in the context of a country like India, with low levels of income & high levels of poverty. Therefore the parameters had to be selected and defined in such a manner that they represented only the critical elements of ecological preservation and did not impinge unduly on the process of development and efforts at eradication of poverty.

“The nuances of ecological sensitivity are such that excessive rigidity on this count could defeat the very purpose of this exercise, which seeks to strike a balance between preservation of our ecological endowments and the needs of development.”

The Pranab Sen etc. has stressed the importance of “wide public consultation on the nature and manner of regulation of economic activities in the identified areas” before notifying the areas under the EPA, 1986. “In view of the limited knowledge base that exists at present, it is preferable to err on the side of caution and be liberal” in notifying sensitive areas.

Pranab Sen makes it clear that ESA should be declared only after detailed and deep analysis discussions.

Kasthuri Rangan Committee has considered the above aspect. While Gadgil Committee demarcated the whole Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas and categorised into three, the Kasthuri Rangan Committee was of the opinion that only 40% of the Western Ghats area should be protected as ESA. For making their decision logical, the committee divided Western Ghats into two; Natural Landscape and Cultural Landscape. Forest, protected areas and areas which were to be protected as forests were included in Natural Landscape while human inhabited areas, farm lands and plantations were included in Cultural Landscape.

For demarcating these two, the Kasthuri Rangan Committee depended on remote sensing technology. But in Remote Sensing, coffee plantations and cardamom plantation may often

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [15] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

be considered as forests and hence classified as Natural Landscape. The HLWG Committee itself has pointed out this „The Committee took note of the environmentally friendly practices in coffee plantations, Kodagu and Cardamom Plantations in Idukki and Wayanad, where integration of natural landscape with human settlement exists.‟ (From Kasthuri Rangan Committee Report, Preamble).

On the page number 96 of the report it is said that “The remote sensing derived vegetation maps are not without limitations. For instance Understory plantations (for eg. Cardamom) or naturalized forest plantations cannot be discriminated”. That means, the committee approves the fact that certain defects may occur while using remote sensing for mapping ESA.

During our visit to Western Ghats areas we could see and realise that many thickly populated areas and farm lands are included in the ESA. For clearly determining forests, human inhabited areas, farm lands, plantations and areas which are to be protected as forests, the only precise method is to conduct actual physical verification. Hence the committee recommends to conduct actual physical verification in 123 villages identified as ESA by Kasthuri Rangan Committee and about 120 panchayats that are identified as ESZ I and II by Gadgil Committee, and find out the present status of these areas. Thus the human inhabited areas, farm lands and forests in the 123 villages and about 120 panchayats must be demarcated. The sacred groves, ponds, meadows and hills in these villages and panchayats should also be considered as ESA and protected along with the forest. At the same time, human inhabited areas, farm lands and plantations should be exempted from ESA.

10. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EXPERT COMMITTEE 10.1. Demarcation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas

 The Kasthuri Rangan Committee identified whole village as ecologically sensitive, if at least 20% of ESA is contained in that village. Even if 80% of the remaining area is urbanised, the committee considered that the whole village is Ecologically Sensitive. This cannot be justified.

 As far as Kerala is concerned, villages are demarcations for better governance only, but in most other states villages are separate cultural and social entities.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [16] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

 As far as other states are concerned, considering villages as basic units for demarcation of ESAs can be justified. In those States there is good detachment between villages, towns and forest areas. But Kerala is a rural urban continuum, which occur intermittently.

 In many of the villages in Kerala identified by KR committee as ESA, there are many large educational institutions including Engineering Colleges and many hospitals also. Many villages are partially urbanised. Towns like , Kumili, Kattappana and Nedumkandam are examples for this. Many banks, hotels, bus stands, religious institutions, etc. are there in these busy towns. Living in this area according to the conditions and restrictions put forward by forest and environment Acts and Rules is impracticable and unjustifiable. It will be natural only that the inhabitants of this area wish to retain the material gains and standards that they have acquired.

 Plantations of Cardamom, Black Pepper, Rubber, Coffee and Garcinia (Malabar Tamarind) are often mistaken as forests and wrongly marked in satellite maps as ESA in Kasthuri Rangan Report.

 It was also understood by the expert committee that, even though KR committee has demarcated villages having population of less than 100 per km square as ESA, certain villages that fall in this criteria has been excluded by the KR committee. Wagamon, Kodassery, , Peechi and Vazhani are some examples.

 Among the Western Ghat states Kerala has the highest population density. Even in Idukki District which is having maximum number of ESAs, according to 2011 census the population density is 250 / km. Sq. area. During 2001 it was 259/ km. Sq. The HLWG recommendation, not to consider areas having less than 100 population density as ESA was not followed completely as far as Kerala is concerned.

 The recommendation to demarcate an area of 10 km around ESAs as buffer zone and placing these areas under the purview of Environmental Protection Act may lead to a condition where large towns may even be considered as ESAs. This may lead to apprehensions in the mind of people living in this area that the basic developments will come to a standstill.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [17] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

 Many organisations and estates including the Kannan Devan Plantation Association have represented before the Expert Committee that such plantations are centuries old and follow eco-friendly cultivation practices.

 According to representations received from the Cardamom farmers; during the expert committee sittings it is clear that an agro forestry ecosystem is prevalent in these plantations. Eco friendly water and soil conservation is adapted in these plantations and this fact is mentioned in the KR Report. But these plantations have been misinterpreted as forests and included in ESA.

“The Working Group also took note of the environmentally friendly practices in coffee plantations in Kodagu and cardamom plantations in Idduki and Wayanad where integration of natural landscapes with human settlements exists. Indeed, it is because of this harmony between people and nature in the Western Ghats, the HLWG recommended policies to incentivize green growth that promotes sustainable and equitable development across the Western Ghats region.” (Kasthuri Rangan Committee Report - Preface page iii)

Recommendations

 Kasthuri Rangan Committee has divided the Western Ghats area in to Natural Landscape, which includes biodiversity rich ecosystem and Cultural Landscape, which includes human inhabited areas. This demarcation is justifiable. But for the demarcation of the Western Ghats area into Cultural and Natural Landscape, the Committee has adopted satellite mapping (Vol. I, page 52, 53 Methodologies). The Kasthuri Rangan Committee itself has pointed out that this kind of demarcation may have some defects. (Page 96 of the report).

 In order to rectify the above defect the only option is to conduct actual physical verification of the area to find out the present status. Hence, the Expert Committee recommends to Government for conducting an actual physical verification in all the 123 ESA villages demarcated by Kasthuri Rangan Committee and 120 Panchayats identified as ESZ I and ESZ II by Gadgil Committee. Thus, the actual Natural Landscape and Cultural Landscape can be demarcated. The Expert Committee also

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [18] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

recommends verifying the population density of these areas. By doing this, the ESAs including forest areas, human inhabited areas and agricultural lands can be clearly marked without any doubt and it can also be understood that how farming and biodiversity co-exists in this area. For the conduct of field verification, the Expert Committee recommends the following strategies:

 Conduct physical verification in all the 123 ESA villages identified by the Kasthuri Rangan Committee and exclude human inhabited areas, farm lands and plantations form ESA. The protected areas and ecologically susceptible areas, which deserve protection, are to be included in the ESA.  In Western Ghats ESZ I and ESZ II villages (as reported in Gadgil Committee), there may be forests areas, sacred groves, grass lands, rocky areas and hilly areas which deserve protection. They have to be demarcated and included in ESA.  In order to conduct field level verification, a team may be constituted in all Panchayats with the following persons as members:

 Panchayat President, Panchayat Members and BMC members  Village Officer – Revenue Department  Representative – Forest Department  Representative – Agriculture Department  Secretary – Panchayat Secretary

This team has to visit all the ESA villages (Kasthuri Rangan Committee) and ESZ I and ESZ II (Gadgil Committee) Panchayats during a fixed period and demarcate the areas as described above. Conflicts if any, regarding demarcation may be finalised according to the decision of the Revenue department and mark accordingly.

 Physical verification maps and data of the above committee will be part of the State Expert Committee report.

 In order to ensure the survival of the wild animals in the natural landscape and people and their livelihood in cultural landscape, formulation of stringent government policies & rules and strengthening of existing rules are to be done.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [19] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

 Since all the ecosystems like forests, sacred groves, grass lands etc. which are outside the ESAs will be demarcated through physical verification and protected as ESA, there is no further relevance in providing 10 km buffer zones outside ESA. Hence this committee recommends not to have buffer zones outside ESA.

 The Tea, Coffee and Cardamom plantations in these areas are very old. Eco-friendly measures like organic farming, water conservation and soil conservation are also practiced in these plantations. Agriculture products produced from these plantations fetch foreign exchange as well as economic benefit to the State. By physical verification, plantations, farm lands and forest areas will be separated and hence, these plantations will naturally be exempted from ESA. The Committee assumes that the apprehensions of people regarding this will be resolved by this.

 Since after physical verification the human inhabited areas, agricultural lands and plantations will be excluded from the ESA, the concern of people leading a restricted life in ESA will thereby be addressed.

PROCEDURE FOR DEMARCATING ESA IN 123 VILLAGES

On the basis of these sittings a detailed report was prepared both in English and Malayalam and submitted to the Kerala Government and to MoEF. The expert committee in its report proposed a physical verification at local level. A committee was constituted at Gramapanchayat level as per No 188/2013/ Envt dated 21.12.2013 to demarcate Agricultural land, forest areas, sacred groves, rocky areas, grasslands etc. and to identify areas to be declared as ESA. The committee comprises of Panchayat president, Secretary, Revenue officer, Agricultural officer and Forest range officer. It was directed to make available a panchayat wise map demarcating ESA and forest areas and a report of area, population, population density, forest area, operating quarries, polluting industries, hospitals, dairy farms etc. If the area is less than ward level clear geographical demarcation should be provided. In case the ESA in a particular village fall in more than one Gramapanchayat a combined committee of the local level verification committee may fix the boundaries. In order to identify and fix exact boundaries of ESA in the 123 villages notified by MoEF, the forests areas and ESA outside forest are to be distinctly demarcated in cadastral level maps to be obtained from Survey and Land record department. The district collectors were asked to

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [20] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the boundary fixing works and demarcating it in the cadastral maps made available to villages. All revenue authorities were asked to render required help and complete the works within five days from day of receipt of Cadastral maps. The local level verification committee will be the forum to fix the boundaries. Services of surveyor of Department of Survey and land records were made available as required by local verification committee.

A detailed map of 123 villages demarcating Agricultural land, Built up land, Forest, Forest plantations, wastelands and water bodies was uploaded in the website of Kerala State remote sensing and environment centre, Thiruvananthapuram. A report on the cultural landscape within the ESA in the 123 villages in HLWG report was submitted by Kerala State Remote sensing and Environment centre to .

Village level committee submitted its physical verification data which was validated by KSBB with data from Kerala State Remote sensing and Environment centre and Forest department with the help of other experts also.

A team of officers from KSBB, KSREC and Department of Survey and Land records were authorized to demarcate the actual boundaries of ESA now identified and lead the works of digitization of the cadastral maps. The expert committee further vetted the ESA as demarcated by local level committee in comparison with the maps they have prepared and maps are being digitized. Uniform procedure and norms including color codes were adapted for all cases.

As per GO (Rt) No 63/2014/ Envt dated 08.04.2014 a committee was constituted with Chairman, KSBB as convener and PCCF, Thiruvananthapuram, Director Survey and Land records, Thiruvananthapuram, Director KSRSE, for finalizing of cadastral maps of ESA villages with clear demarcation of ESA boundary.

Cadastral maps of ESA villages with clear demarcation of ESA boundary is given in Annexure II.

Government Orders related HLWG report is given in Annexure II.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [21] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

MEETINGS WITH MOEF OFFICIALS AND OF NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL

Data were presented in the meeting with Officials of MoEF including Dr. V. Rajagopalan, Secretary ( E & F), MoEF , Shri. Ajay Tyagi, Joint Secretary, MoEF, Dr Amit Love, Deputy Director, MoEF .

1) Dr. Oommen V. Oommen attended the meeting of National Green Tribunal in New Delhi on 16-17 December 2013. 2) As directed by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Member Secretary Dr. K.P. Laladhas and Chairman Dr. Oommen V. Oommen visited the Minister and officials of MoEF on 11th, 12th and 13th of February 2014 to submit the three member committee report and to have further discussions. 3) As directed by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Member Secretary Dr. K.P. Laladhas and Chairman Dr. Oommen V. Oommen visited Delhi on 27-02-2014 to meet the MoEF Secretary and other officials to consolidate the discussion on Kasturirangan Committee report on WG Conservation. They met the Secretary, Jt. Secretary and Dy. Director along with ACS Sri. P.K.Mohanty IAS. 4) As per instructions of the Chief Minister of Kerala, Chairman Dr. Oommen V. Oommen went to Delhi to meet the counsels and be present in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 24-03-2014.

Annexure I

 The images presented here are the scanned copies of cadastral maps provided by the village level committee. The quality of the images depends on the given maps.  The quality and color of cadastral map sheet depend on the provided sheet and the scanner.  The demarcation of ESA is fully based on the Cadastral Data Sheet Informations (Sample date sheet is given in Appendix I)

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [22] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

Annexure I

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala

No. of ESA Villages – 7 No. of Taluks – 2

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [23] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Peringamala Village, Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [24] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thennur Village, Nedumangad Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [25] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Vidura Village, Nedumangad Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [26] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Mannurkkara Village, Nedumangad Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [27] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Vazhichal Village, Nayyattinkara Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [28] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Amboori Village, Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [29] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kallikkad Village, Nayyattinkara Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [30] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kollam District, Kerala

No. of ESA Villages – 8 No. of Taluk – 1

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [31] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Punnala and Villages, Taluk, , Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [32] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Edamon Village, Pathanapuram Taluk, Kollam District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [33] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thenmala Village, Pathanapuram Taluk, Kollam District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [34] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Aryankavu Village, Pathanapuram Taluk, Kollam District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [35] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thingal karikkam Village, Pathanapuram Taluk, Kollam District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [36] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kulathupuzha Village, Pathanapuram Taluk, Kollam District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [37] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Chennapettah Village, Pathanapuram Taluk, Kollam District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [38] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Pathanamthitta District, Kerala

No. of ESA Villages – 6 No. of Taluks – 2

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [39] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thannithodu Village, Kozhanchery Taluk, , Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [40] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Aruvappalam Village, Kozhanchery Taluk, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [41] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Chittar Village, Taluk, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [42] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Seethathodu Village, Ranni Taluk, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [43] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kollumala Village, Ranni Taluk, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [44] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Perunad Village, Ranni Taluk, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [45] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Vadasserikkara Village, Ranni Taluk, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [46] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kottayam District

No. of ESA Villages – 4 No. of Taluks – 2

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [47] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Koottickal Village, Kanjirapally Taluk, , Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [48] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Melukavu Village, Meenachil Taluk, Kottayam District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [49] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thekkoy Village, Meenachil Taluk, Kottayam District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [50] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Poonjar Thekkekkara Village, Meenachil Taluk, Kottayam District, Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [51] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Ernakulam District, Kerala

No. of ESA Villages – 1 No. of Taluks – 1

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [52] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kuttambuzha Village, Taluk, , Kerala

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [53] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Idukki District, Kerala

No. of ESA Villages – 47 No. of Taluks – 4

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [54] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Marayoor Village, , Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [55] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Keezhanthoor Village, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [56] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kannandevan Hills Village, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [57] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kottakamboor Village, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [58] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kanthalloor Village, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [59] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Vattavada Village, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [60] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Mankulam Village, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [61] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Mannamkandam Village, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [62] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Pallivasal Village, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [63] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Anaviratti Village, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [64] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kunjithanni Village, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [65] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Vellathooval Village, Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [66] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Upputhara Village, Peerumedu Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [67] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kumily Village, Peerumedu Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [68] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Manjamala Village, Peerumedu Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [69] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Periyar Village, Peerumedu Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [70] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kokkayar Village, Peerumedu Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [71] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Peerumed Village, Peerumedu Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [72] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Mlapra Village, Peerumedu Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [73] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Peruvanthanam Village, Peerumedu Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [74] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kanjikuzhy Village, Thodupuzha Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [75] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Udumbannoor Village, Thodupuzha Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [76] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Idukki Village, Thodupuzha Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [77] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Arakulam Village, Thodupuzha Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [78] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Chinnakkanal Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [79] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Bisonvalley Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [80] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Rajakumari Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [81] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Pooppara Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [82] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Rajakadu Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [83] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Konnathady Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [84] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Santhanpara Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [85] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kandhippara Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [86] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Chathurangappara Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [87] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Vathikkudy Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [88] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Udumbanchola Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [89] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Upputhodu Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [90] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Parathod Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [91] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kalkunthal Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [92] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thankamany Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [93] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Ayyappankovil Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [94] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Pambadumpara Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [95] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kattappana Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [96] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Karunapuram Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [97] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Vandanmedu Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [98] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Anakkara Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [99] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Anavilasam Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [100] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Chakkupallam Village, Udumbanchola Taluk, Idukki District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [101] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Trissur District

No. of ESA Villages – 1 No. of Taluks – 1

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [102] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Pariyaram Village, Pariyaram Taluk, Trissur District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [103] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Palakkad District, Kerala

No. of ESA Villages – 14 No. of Taluks – 4

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [104] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kizhakkanchery Village, Taluk,

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [105] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Muthalamada I Village, Chittur Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [106] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Muthalamada II Village, Chittur Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [107] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Nelliyampathy Village, Chittur Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [108] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Puthur Village, Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [109] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Padavayal Village, Mannarkkad Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [110] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Agali Village, Mannarkkad Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [111] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kottathara Village, Mannarkkad Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [112] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Sholayar Village, Mannarkkad Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [113] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kallamala Village, Mannarkkad Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [114] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Palakkayam Village, Mannarkkad Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [115] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Malampuzha Village, Palakkad Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [116] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Puduppariyaram Village, Palakkad Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [117] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Pudusseri east Village, Palakkad Taluk, Palakkad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [118] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Malappuram District, Kerala

No. of Villages - 10 No. of Taluks - 1

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [119] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Chungathara Village, Nilambur Taluk,

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [120]

Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Vazhikadavu Village, Nilambur Taluk, Malappuram District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [122] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Akampadam Village, Nilambur Taluk, Malappuram District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [123] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Karulai Village, Nilambur Taluk, Malappuram District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [124] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Amarambalam Village, Nilambur Taluk, Malappuram District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [125] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Chokkod Village, Nilambur Taluk, Malappuram District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [126] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kalikavu Village, Nilambur Taluk, Malappuram District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [127] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kerala Estate Village, Nilambur Taluk, Malappuram District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [128] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Karuvarakundu Village, Nilambur Taluk, Malappuram District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [129] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kozhikod District

No. of Village – 9 No. of Taluks - 3

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [130] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kedavoor Village, Kozhikod Taluk, Kozhikod District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [131] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Puthuppadi Village, Kozhikod Taluk, Kozhikod District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [132] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Nellippoyil Village, Kozhikod Taluk, Kozhikod District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [133] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kodancheri Village, Kozhikod Taluk, Kozhikod District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [134] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thiruvanbadi Village, Kozhikod Taluk, Kozhikod District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [135] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Chembanoda Village, Quilandy Taluk, Kozhikod District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [136] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Chakkittappara Village, Quilandy Taluk, Kozhikod District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [137] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thinur Village, Vadakara Taluk, Kozhikod District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [138] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kavilumpara Village, Vadakara Taluk, Kozhikod District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [139] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Wayanad District, Kerala

No. of villages – 13 No. of Taluks - 3

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [140] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thrissilleri Village, Mananthavady Taluk, Wayanad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [141] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Periya Village, Mananthavady Taluk, Wayanad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [142] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thirunelli Village, Mananthavady Taluk, Wayanad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [143] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Thondarnad Village, Mananthavady Taluk, Wayanad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [144]

Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Theriyod Village, Taluk, Wayanad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [146] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Achooranam Village, Vythiri Taluk, Wayanad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [147] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Pozhuthana Village, Vythiri Taluk, Wayanad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [148] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kottappady Village, Vythiri Taluk, Wayanad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [149] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Chundel and Kunnathidavaka Village, Vythiri Taluk, Wayanad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [150] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Vellarimala Village, Vythiri Taluk, Wayanad District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [151] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kannur District, Kerala

No. of Villages – 3 No. of Taluks - 1

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [152] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Aralam Village, Taluk,

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [153] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Kottiyur Village, Thalassery Taluk, Kannur District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [154] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

CADASTRAL SCALE ESA VILLAGES

Cheruvancherry Village, Thalassery Taluk, Kannur District

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [155] Recommendations of Three Member Expert Committee on HLWG Report

Kerala State Biodiversity Board [156]